Whatever Happend to Pin the Tail on the Donkey?!

Happy 4th Birthday Little One!!
Ok folks, I won't even get into to what a bad blogger I am. Hanging head in shame at how long it took me to get to a blog entry. For a more experienced Blogger, you may want to look elsewhere. AND I am not going to even touch the fact that the past 4 years flew by as I am not in the mood to cry over how my baby is all grown up. However, I am just recovering from my daughter's 4th Birthday....Party. Let me preface this all by saying. IT WAS A BLAST! She had such a wonderful birthday weekend. Starting with a party for 35 friends and family at an indoor gym called Latte Fun, followed by the next day, her actual birthday, family brunch and celebrating with family.

This was the first 'Real' birthday party for her.  For her 1st I had a family blowout. For her 2nd & 3rd, family brunch followed by trip to Disney (We live in South Florida, its a 3 hour trek).  This year was her first real birthday party with her friends.

I enjoy making my daughter happy, but party planning may not be my strongest skill.  Perhaps if I was not working and trying to build my business, I would have more time and patience. Probably not. Personalized Invites. Check. Hello Kitty Cake. Check.  Food ordered. Check. Party bags for boys and girls for over 3 and under 3. Check check check.  Birthday outfit for birthday girl. Check. Balloons. Check.  Presents for birthday girl. Check. Did I forget anything?! Apparently not, however, I was too late to order that Pinata that apparently she likes but I didn't realize till 2 days before the party and the facility said no can do. Uncheck.

What I want to know is what happened to the simple times. The HOME parties? The homemade cakes or cupcakes? The dancing in the family room or basement? and Pin the Tail on the Donkey. The less expensive parties?! Ok I am sure the planning for these parties were probably more involved than what I did (the indoor gym took care of a lot but not everything) but the expense for this party was shocking.  I probably paid about $900 for the party and related items (not including her American Girl doll ;) ).  However, after speaking to a friend recently I hear that home parties are JUST as expensive.  I don't have a big enough home to house my little one's friends, hence this choice is not really an option anyways.

Is she worth it!? Of course! 10 Million times over!! Will I have that big of a party every year. Of course NOT. But to see my beautiful daughter beaming with joy while playing with her classmates, her camp friends, her friends since she was a baby, her cousins....PRICELESS.

So looking forward..Small Party? Just Girls? Well....I just attended this fabulous Princess Birthday in a the Princess room of this place, which had a castle and trees, and was simply gorgeous...See I can't help myself. It's starting already. Let me introduce myself, "Hi I am Heather and I am a Birthday Party Addict".  Someone throw me the rope and pull me in I may just be sinking!


NEXT SUBJECT: How to Raise a Non-Entitled Child.  Get your advice ready!